Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Eureka Slate Mill
Llanllyfni, Gwynedd, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Industrial
- Date of designation
- 21 July 2000
- Locality
- Pen-yr-Orsedd
- Town
- Caernarfon
- Community
- Llanllyfni
- Unitary authority
- Gwynedd
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 53.06252, -4.22622
- Cadw reference
- 23675
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of WalesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1795 "To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most humbly inscribed by his obedient humble servant" (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales).
Cadw's description
Location
Located on Level VIII (Bonc Brig) of Pen- yr-Orsedd Slate Quarry immediately to the north-east of the slate steps leading down to Level VI (Bonc yr Offis).
History
Known as the Eureka mill, the building was constructed in 1896 and originally powered by a steam engine; substantially remodelled to house diamond saws in the 1960s and again in 1978-9 to admit road vehicles. The quarry opened c1816 and in 1863 it was bought by W A Darbishire & Co. During the 1890s about 450 men worked here: it finally closed in 1997.
Exterior
Regularly coursed slate slabs and rubblestone; half-hipped slate roofs with full-length skylighting to ridges on original building, now extended down the roofslopes in corrugated plastic sheeting. Original plan comprises 2 long rectangular ranges aligned south-east to north-west with central valley; lower gabled ranges to north-west may also be original or added shortly afterwards. Both main ranges were originally accessed by railways in the end walls, while the long north-east wall has a doorway inserted into it to admit tracked vehicles. A large breeze block and metal-sheet roofed building (c1978) has been added to the north-east side linking the building to a small late C19 stone structure with a lean-to slate slab roof.
Interior
Original king-post roof structure to C19 building. Contains late C20 Anderson Grice saws and a slate dresser. A conveyor belt has been installed in the south-east gable to take out trimming waste.
Reason for designation
Included as a substantial slate mill at the centre of the Pen-yr-Orsedd Slate Quarry, which despite extensive modification retains its basic original form.
Nearby in the register
- Engine HouseIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Engine HouseIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Winding houseIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Engine HouseIndustrialunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.